Side by side
Boldbobbin vs TurtleStitch
Both stand on embroidery design software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan iPhoneLinuxMac+2
Boldbobbin covers digitizing, stitch editing, lettering, and a broad set of machine-file exports. Review the Personal plan’s usage limits and the boundaries of the Pro commercial licence before choosing a plan.
Visit Boldbobbin Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
TurtleStitch combines code-based design with embroidery exports and includes an offline workflow. Users should note that cloud saving requires an account and saved projects are public by default.
Visit TurtleStitchThe facts
| Boldbobbin | TurtleStitch | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Not published |
| Runs on | iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Pro: $21 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 10 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | boldbobbin.com | turtlestitch.org |
| On embroidery design software | #3 of 31 | #7 of 31 |
Boldbobbin: what it does well
- Converts images into editable embroidery designs.
- Includes photostitch and a pixel art editor.
- Imports fonts with per-letter stitch adjustments.
- Exports machine formats plus SVG and PNG.
- Cloud designs can be shared through browser-viewable URLs.
What to know first
- Personal plan prohibits commercial use.
- Free image and video exports carry a watermark.
- Native .vemb projects cannot be resold as standalone products.
TurtleStitch: what it does well
- Free to use
- Exports designs for .exp and .dst machines
- Offline work includes blocks and libraries
- Density and overlap checks are available
- Teachers can create student logins without student personal information
What to know first
- Online use requires internet access
- Offline mode does not provide cloud access
- Cloud projects are public by default
- Cloud saving requires an account and email
Alternatives to Boldbobbin Alternatives to TurtleStitch The whole list